How to Buy a Business That’s Right for You

Acquisition advisory and deal sourcing for buyers seeking quality businesses in the $3M–$50M range.

Finding the right business to acquire is harder than it looks. The best opportunities rarely hit the open market. Icon Deal Flow connects serious acquirers with quality businesses in the $3M to $50M range — including off-market opportunities from our network of 400+ boutique investment banks.

Who Icon Deal Flow Serves

• Private equity firms seeking platform or add-on acquisitions
• Strategic acquirers expanding through M&A
• Search fund operators and independent sponsors
• High-net-worth individuals pursuing acquisition entrepreneurship
• Family offices seeking direct investments

How Icon Deal Flow Works

Step 1: Define Your Criteria

We work with you to define exactly what you’re looking for: industry, size, geography, deal structure, and investment thesis.

Step 2: Deal Sourcing

We tap our network to surface opportunities that match your criteria — including deals that never hit the market.

Step 3: Facilitation

We make introductions, facilitate initial conversations, and help move deals forward.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a Business

Where do I find businesses for sale?

Quality businesses are found through M&A advisor networks, industry relationships, and direct outreach. The best opportunities often sell before reaching public listing sites. Working with an advisor like Icon provides access to off-market deal flow.

What fees do buy-side advisors charge?

Buy-side M&A advisory fees typically range from 2–4% of transaction value, often paid by the buyer as a success fee upon closing.

What criteria should I use when evaluating an acquisition?

Key criteria include industry alignment, EBITDA quality, customer concentration, management depth, growth potential, and deal structure. We help buyers develop a scoring framework that matches their investment thesis.

Can I access off-market deals?

Yes. A significant portion of lower middle market deals are completed off-market. Our network of 400+ boutique investment banks and direct relationships with business owners gives our buy-side clients access to deals that never appear on listing sites.